paul burrell

Brian you are absolutely correct I thought that is what I tried to convey in my statement. If rates go up it elimates some buyers in a specific price range if the rates go down it allows buyers with lower income to buy a more expensive home. The interest rates have nothing to do with the price of the home. The income, debt ratio to mortgage cost is what qualifies a buyer to buy a home in their pre qualified price range. Paul Burrell

To me, that would seem to be the main reason, and quite understandable. The lender needs to know that they will be able to recoup their money should the buyer default. You can’t blame them for that, and it’s probably one mechanism to keep mortgage rates reasonably near the prime rate. In the case of a mortgage the appraisal is mostly to protect the lender. It “feelsâ€

Appraisers are either State licensed or State Certified and are obligated to appraise the home for what it is worth not what someone says it is worth. This being fair market value which is determined by what "like" homes in the area are selling for usually within a mile of subject home. The appraiser does not snatch a number out of the air and come up with an opinion and price. After driving around and photographing "like" sales in the area that have sold in past six months, usually three and up to six if needed and then searching public records online or at the local board of realtors, or courthouse or any where else they can get the information needed to derive a fair market value for the subject home. Then the information is put on what is called a grid and analyzed and the appraiser comes up with a fair market value for the home after analysis of the comparable sales. I won't explain now how the comparative analysis works it will take another hour of typing. By the way like homes are worth what they (the public) are paying for them not what they are listed for or what a seller wants for it. This and this alone is what drives real estate sale prices. The market has a mind of it's own the appraiser has nothing to do with it except to determine current "fair market value" Now let's get to the mortgage broker/appraiser relationship and this includes why I quit the appraisal business over 15 years past never to return. Appraisers do not get jobs from the home buyers. They get their job orders from the mortgage brokers. This one statement should turn on the lights. An appraiser must be on the brokers "approved list" to get any jobs. It does not take an Einstein to see the conflict of interest in this setup. If the appraiser does not play ball he does not get jobs and his family gets hungry. I have had brokers tell me that they play by the golden rule. We have the gold so we make the rules. Mortgage brokers having this control over appraisers is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house literally. I wasted 3 years of my life in denial before I realized that my self respect was suffering and on that day I quit the business. Why do we need appraisers. Because there is no lender in the USA that will lend money for a mortgage on a home without an appraisal report on the home by a licensed or certified appraiser. OK I feel better now. Regards, Paul Burrell State Certified Real Eastate Appraiser (inactive and gonna stay that way).

I think I would have spoke to her parents about the candles as relates to carbon monoxide and headaches. I appraised a home about 15 years past and the family room was next to the water heater closet. The vent flue bonnet was half off center. Carbon monoxide was entering the family room. I asked the home owner if She had been experiencing headaches or drowsiness. She said yes. I showed her the vent and explained the problem. She seemed grateful and about three weeks later I received a nice letter of gratitude from her in the mail. End of story, Paul Burrell

Thanks guys for your help. I read the code section 2 or 3 times and just missed it. By the way I have an appointment tomorrow AM with my eye doctor. [:-dunce]. Thanks a bunch, Paul Burrell

After the electronic float switch came into the code a while back I have been under the impression and several of my ASHI associates that both the pvc condensate pan drain line and the float switch were require for attic furnaces in addition to A coils drain line that exit above furnace. IRC 2003 section M1411.3.1 and IRC 2000 mechanical code 307.2.2 cover this but. The HVAC Company has taken exception that I reported no pvc drain at condensate pan because there is a float cutoff switch installed. I need help in interpeting whether He or I am correct. Paul Burrell

Micheal,I think you have answered your own question. Trapped moisture between the old and new decking could cause a problem including delamination, warping and decay. However if the decking is allowed to completely dry after the old roofing has been removed you may be OK. In any event it is your home you can do what you please within reason including local codes. Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck and am sorry about the beating Katrina did to you all. We have several thousand victims that came here to Metro Atlanta. A great many say they are going to stay here and not go back. Regards, Paul Burrell

I find water heater therms set on hot as high as possible. The occupants think that they get more hot water this way. Not so the volume is the same they just get scalded. I explain this to them and they seem to know what I am talking about but sometimes I don't think they really do. Paul Burrell

My son is married to a jewel of a Lady from New York. My Daughter "was" married to a jerk from Florida. I once dated a nice Lady from Northern Illinois. My wife was born and raised in California. I was born and raised in Georgia. So what does this mean? Maybe it means I started a mess [^]. Paul Burrell PS: A while back someone asked everyone that has not to send a picture. So here it is. Download Attachment: PAUL BURRELL.jpg 457.68 KB

"Y'all" is a southern term (dialect). Just wondering how it got to Canada. Paul Burrell

A couple of years past I remodeled two baths in my home. Bought two vanity sinks at a local builders supply. After they were installed I noticed one had overflow and one did not? Since I tend to be feeble minded at times I only use the one with overflow.[:-graduat I see these vanity sinks in upper end homes and since they are legal I just tell the buyer what could happen. Paul B.

Looks like four layers to me. Paul B.

Looks to me that a knockout is open at top left of junction box. If I am not mistaken no unsued knockouts that are open are allowed. Paul B.

Looks like a yard sprinkler system timer to me? Paul Burrell

I think a hole is called a hole [:-graduat.

Big blue is polybutylene and is under a class action lawsuit. Also is black and is used for service entrance Branch lines which are gray. All are flexible. White PVC is is rigid. CPVC is also rigid plastic. Polybutylene is not used any more in my area except the higher PSI rated that will not burst under high pressure surges and is only used for service entrance. CPVC, polyethelene and copper is used for branch lines. "PVC chemical leaching"? Over 30 years ago I bought an older home which had galvanized branch lines and I had to install a 200 foot service entrance so I used white PVC because it was cheap. Got to go now I am feeling weak and confused. Can't figure why. [:-crazy] Paul Burrell

I have a Tramex wet wall detector with all the bells and whistles. Cost a lot of $$. However in my area (metro Atlanta) a well trained experienced EIFS inspector does not depend on the wet wall scanner as a final determination for inside wall moisture due to false readings caused by inside wall obstructions. The tramex wet wall detector works well on EIFS only to indicate where to use the pin meter which saves time and effort. There are EIFS repair Companies in this area that advertise "free" EIFS and stucco inspections. I just cannot imagine how they can work for nothing. . When someone offers me something for free the first thing I do is grab my backside with both hands -. Happy inspecting, Paul Burrell